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Niaho...Greetings from China...

Okay, maybe not just yet am I in Changchun City, Jilin Province or Northeast China...I am really excited to be able to share with the FamilySportsLifeToday.com network about my upcoming experiences abroad...This would not be possible had it not been for my esteemed partner and friend Jay Arnold...What an amazing individual he is to FSLT and me personally...He is responsible for setting me up with a laptop computer with all the necessary ingredients to function properly on a daily basis while I'm online and reaching out to the world on my coaching experiences in China...

So, here is what I envision good people: y'all will have the opportunity to connect with Coach tom during your upcoming tryouts and season and ask me questions and suggestions in preparation so each of you can be prepared to give your Best Effort each day and know that you did indeed "leave it on the floor" when it's all said and done...For your parents: PLEASE allow the kids breathing room during tryouts and practices leading up to competitions this season...your greatest support is not in the number of questions you ask, rather it's in the consistency of your positive reinforcement towards their Best Effort and complimenting this always, win or lose...Trust me, when you praise effort in youth sports it's always remembered more than the points that were or not scored in game...Think about it: remember when you were a soccer player and played for 3 years or more and never scored a goal, but you could always remember the coaches and parents who always gave you praise for your effort after every game...If this is too difficult to do in basketball, may I suggest that you try it ONCE, that's all, and then ask your son or daughter what they thought of your reaction or praises...Just a thought that I hope is for naught...

Remember: your best practice and game is ALWAYS your next practice and game...Why? Because YOU have control over your Best Effort, and in there lies the true secret of becoming the best Team Player: your Best Effort!!!